Although Intel will try to deliver better graphics performance by introducing new drivers for its integrated graphics processors (IGPs), motherboard makers in Taiwan generally doubt the advancements that Intel is claiming. Intel plans to introduce new drivers for its G965, GM965 and G35 chipsets to support Vertex Shader 3.0 in August. Two new drivers, 15.6 and 14.31, will be introduced to support Windows Vista and XP respectively.
These new drivers are claimed to enhance stability significantly and support Shader Model 4.0. The drivers are also said to add better support for games including Stalker, UT2004 and Guild Wars, allowing the IGPs to deliver a noticeable performance leap. Although the upcoming drivers mark an improvement, motherboard makers from Taiwan note that the revealed information from Intel shows that these drivers still do not support a certain number of well-known games. This prompts them to believe that the drivers will not actually deliver much of a difference.
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News source: DigiTimes
These new drivers are claimed to enhance stability significantly and support Shader Model 4.0. The drivers are also said to add better support for games including Stalker, UT2004 and Guild Wars, allowing the IGPs to deliver a noticeable performance leap. Although the upcoming drivers mark an improvement, motherboard makers from Taiwan note that the revealed information from Intel shows that these drivers still do not support a certain number of well-known games. This prompts them to believe that the drivers will not actually deliver much of a difference.
View: The full story News source: DigiTimes
Shader Model 4.0
I think the bigger issue is why are people who play 'hard core games' like UT2004 etc with integrated video cards? I'm sorry, but these cards tend be designed for either very cheap computers or laptops that need low power consumption.
On a side note, the Intel GPU's on *NIX run fabulously.
Its not going to happen anytime soon - there just isn't any money in the grand ****ing competitions which Nvidia engages in. The only thing I'd like to see is a PCIe board with Intel's GPU along with dedicated memory, especially with their new GPU design that'll be coming soon.
For the vast majority, they don't care about 'games performance' people who care about 'games performance' make up a piddly number when compared to the number who use a computer to get things done.
Quite frankly, I don't understand the attraction to PC gaming, its a waste of time and money - grab a console and be done with it.
Whilst I can understand improvements to Guild Wars, as at lower settings it is not very demanding, I can't believe you can get close to "passable" framerates on a game like Stalker using Intel's onboard chipsets.
For example, no one argued against Adobe's 100MB Reader and it's 20 second startup times until Foxit came along and released a 1MB version that loaded instantly. What makes you think that drivers are incapable of doing the same?
For example, no one argued against Adobe's 100MB Reader and it's 20 second startup times until Foxit came along and released a 1MB version that loaded instantly. What makes you think that drivers are incapable of doing the same?
Good Point..
For example, no one argued against Adobe's 100MB Reader and it's 20 second startup times until Foxit came along and released a 1MB version that loaded instantly. What makes you think that drivers are incapable of doing the same?
C++, you do bring up a VERY valid point. The only thing is, there's only so far you can go with software improvements. After that you DO need new hardware. Even the best software in the world is not going to make a 486 DX2-66 keep up with a P4 HT 3.0 GHz. Just like the best driver is not going to make a Geforce 2 keep up with a 8800.
With that said, I do believe hardware is SO far ahead of the software/drivers, it does need some time to "catch up".
Do you have any benchmarks to back up the claim? would be interesting to see
Energy consumption its always a problem in a GPU area and so far no one address it like intel, now we only need a better performance
Here is the direct download link for the new beta driver if some of you can't wait http://downloadcenter.intel.com/confirm.as...e=&lang=eng
GMA 15.2 Released Driver 17.9-20 fps
GMA 15.6b Beta Driver 4.9-9 fps
the fps went way down but the image quality was better with the new features (Keep in mind I took out my graphics card for this test)
My System
Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86
3.5 GB Ram
Vista Ultimate 32-bit
Intel DG965WH Motherboard
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